My studio doesn’t have running water, and I am wondering if there is a solution to care of brushes used for oil painting in-between painting, without washing brushes out. My current routine is mineral spirits followed by soap and water.
I’m worried about soap not being totally washed out. I’m not keen on mineral spirits if it’s unnecessary.
Some artists are suggesting not cleaning their brushes at all, instead leaving them in a tray of oil (bristles suspended). Oils suggested for this have been safflower oil, poppy oil, even baby oil.
Any thoughts on this? I’m particularly worried about the wrong kinds of oil ending up as a residue in my brush and affecting the longevity of my paintings. Thanks
Not a user on the paint brush oil soak clean, but I’d avoid the baby oil. Baby oil is going to have non drying elements part of its make up.
Poppy oil would be likely more expensive and functionally the same as art store safflower having basically the same fatty acid oil ratios. Small accidental additions of both poppy and linoleic safflower to the paint would be harmless. Supermarket oleic safflower mostly harmless as mere traces, but it is a non-drying oil and could have this effect fortified by vitamin E. So to put your mind at rest, best avoid this one as well.
Marc.
thanks
the oil in the tray starts oxidizing right away. You can’t tell for a while but the result is that you’re getting oxidizing oil inside your ferrule. This will inevitably lead to a ruined brush. I would only soak my cheapest brushes in oil. My fine brushes get a wash after use with soap and water.
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